Philippines, Kuwait to sign labor deal if meeting goes well

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano is expecting to push through with the signing of a memorandum of understanding that will protect the welfare of overseas Filipino workers after a meeting with his Kuwaiti counterpart.

Cayetano is set to meet with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah to discuss the "misunderstanding" between the two countries following the Philippine Embassy's rescue operations for distressed Filipino domestic workers.

"Just before dinner tonight, we will have a bilateral meeting with the foreign minister, my counterpart. Afterwards, if everything is okay, we will push through with the signing of the MOU," Cayetano told reporters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

He added that the Department of Foreign Affairs has given a list to the Department of Labor and Employment before signing the MOU.

The Foreign Affairs chief noted that the Philippines requested to add another detail on the agreement a few days ago.

"What we are asking is for a special police force so as not to repeat what happened if ever quick reaction is needed, we should not say that we are taking the law in our own hands," Cayetano said.

The agreement would also be an assurance for OFWs that they can call someone from the embassy and act right away.

"We kept that quiet the last few days, but since it came out and Secretary Harry (Roque) has spoken, I can tell you already, but that's the final thing we are asking for," Cayetano said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier confirmed that the Kuwaiti government freed four Filipino drivers arrested after the rescues of OFWs in the Gulf state. The charges against the four drivers would also be dropped.

Meanwhile, the Philippine government is expecting good news regarding the three Filipino diplomats with arrest warrants in Kuwait.

Roque and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III flew to Kuwait to seek "normalization of ties" with Kuwait following the diplomatic row with the Philippines.

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